As an Asian-American southerner addicted to cookbooks, I am impressed! This cookbook is terrifically illustrated and the recipes are good and authentic. As with all the cookbooks in this series, the books leans towards the elegant, with an emphasis on restaurant-type meals. Very impressive for a date! I wish it had a section on soul food, though.

This is a great bartender's book. It has all the drinks, nicely indexed by liquor type, illustrations of the proper glasses, and instructions on how to stock your own bar. Just as importantly: it has a SPIRAL BINDING. This is key, because it stays open to the same page when you're trying to mix a drink. If you're like me, you need both hands to work on the drink, not hold the book open. Try that with Mr. Boston's and it'll drive you crazy!! Seriously!